We know that "drafting" means being behind someone to make less effort while moving at the same speed or even faster. But many people just go behind someone without even knowing how to use the other’s energy to follow the path of speed they leave behind them.
The principle of drafting in open water swimming is to place yourself behind someone who can break through the resistance (water) and into the slipstream, where there is less drag to slow you down. The outcome is faster timing with less effort. Drafting when swimming can save up to 30% of your energy expenditure - if you do it right.
How to draft?
Drafting from the hip
It is much easier to draft off someone's hips rather than their feet, simply because if you can stay on it, you will be pulled perfectly. Another advantage is that it indicates the ability to respond to the leader's change in speed or gear. Drafting on the hip requires a high level of practice from both the pacesetter and the drafter because if one of them cannot swim straight, they will regularly collide with the other.
Drafting from the feet
This position does not interfere with the lead swimmer and allows the drafting swimmer to track the leader using a trail of bubbles. For example, during an open water race, every time you raise your head to see the buoys and check your heading, you alter your neutral body position in the water and lose speed. Following the bubbles of another swimmer helps to see less and saves more energy. However, if you are constantly touching the swimmer's feet will upset them, and may be tempted to kick you and disrupt your stroke. Also, you must be able to respond quickly to changes in pace, since being too slow can result in a gap and the loss of the draft.
Tips to Consider
Try to look for the right partner. Do not look for someone slow or who goes on a similar pace to yours. Look for someone slightly faster so you can use their speed to follow them and go faster than your usual speed.
Practice in the pool. If you can go to a pool, drafting there will be more efficient and will help you learn how to do it correctly. Try to do sets of a specific distance you can handle with a group of 3-4 people.
Leticia Campos
Swim4Fun Assistant Coach
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